The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-13
HAwLEY's oPINIonR
The Connecticut Senator Talks of
His Trip Abroad.
The English Politics as Viewed by an
American Politician,
Who Prefers His countrymen's WAYS
of Doing Business.

New YORK, Sept. Ex-senator Joseph r.
Hawley, Of Connecticut, arrived here on the
Etruria yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Hawley
was met by Tribune reporter with whom
he had the following conversation:
"You met Mr.. Blaine, l believer ?"
"Yes. He was looking better than he has
Improved. / saw him after his retnr5 from
Ireland, and had long and pleasant To TX
with him one day. We chatted for an honr
and half, but he did not say ANYTHING that
strikes me as of being sufficient Importance
to repeat to you. american politics came up,
but only in general way, and we had some
conversation about the political situation in
England. But 1t was only an ordinary par
lor conversation"
"Did you take much interest in the Irish
question while in Britain?"
81 was in the House of Commons for nine
hours on the second night of the great de-
bate on Mr. Gladstone's resolution against
proclaiming the National League heard A
number of the leading members speak ON it,
and it was an exceedingly interesting de-
bate, though it was really thrashing old
straw, because the points had all been pre-
viously made in the discussion on the Coer-
cion BILL"
"What do you think of the probabilities of
the success of the Gladstonian partys'
''It is very difficult to tell, unless by the
tions that have taken place recently were
favorable TO Mr.. Gladstone, and seem to in
dicate that his party is gaining In strength
and his policy gaining in popularity"
..T9. M9W Is coercion generally regarded?"
And it goes without saying that the proc
lamation Of the National League has been
equally Unpopular"
YES. Gladstonian Liberals of course
disapproye It. and not only that. but 1 think
many good Conservatives who sustained the
ministry have grave doubts as to the propri-
ETY. OF trying to proclaim whole nation,
which is virtually what the government Is
doing In trying to abolish the National
League. They think it would be better for
the government-and Lord Harrington talked
this way in recent speech-if they would
select any man who committed an overt act
In violation of the law, which would put
him within reach of it. and prosecute him
and not attempt to say that several thousand
men must not hold meetings to discuss Irish
affairs That attempt will only result in
failure. The League can easily evade it If
they will. They might meet and call them
selves the Sons of Liberty, or as a library
club, or any kind of club, and transact the
business of the League just the same as be-
fore the PROCLAMATION, l think the Irish
leaders really enjoy the situation. They
know it is only question Of time when the
end is gained"
What do you think of the British legisla-
tive machlneY
II like our ways best. No doubt the results
attained in Britain are good, but the methods
are very cumbrous. Such thing as the in
production and passing of a private measure
Is next to impossible. 1t must have the APP
proval of the Cabinet, then it travels through
all the dreary stages Of committees and Com
mons and Lords and Royal approval before
1t becomes law. The Cabinet formulates
everything, and has great deal Of power,
much more than ours, and l think we manage
much better"
What do you think of the future pros
poets Of the Republican party, general?'
We'll, will only say that am always an
optimist, and always believe we are going TO
lick 'em."
"Who, in your opinion, is the probable Re-
publican Presidential candidate next year ?'
SIS not that question little premature ?
Much might happen before next year. But
l may say that / suppose it will probably be
between Blaine and Sherman"
t "And what II Senator Hawley should be
nominated? Would he accept the nomina-
tion 2"
With droll look the Senator thus deliver
ed himself: young man, Abraham Lincoln
said, never cross Fox River till you get to